Cate Blanchett and Hollywood stars urge Joe Biden to call for ceasefire in Israel-Gaza conflict

Aussie star Cate Blanchett is among a wave of celebs demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, as Dave Chappelle became the latest star to cop flack over his stance.

A-list Hollywood celebrities including Cate Blanchett, Joaquin Phoenix, Ramy Youssef and Andrew Garfield have written a letter to Joe Biden urging him to call for a ceasefire in Israel’s war with Hamas.

Dozens of top-flight names from the world of entertainment asked the US President to work to achieve an “immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel before another life is lost.”

“We urge your administration, and all world leaders, to honour all of the lives in the Holy Land and call for and facilitate a ceasefire without delay – an end to the bombing of Gaza, and the safe release of hostages,” said the letter, released by artists4ceasefire.org.

“Saving lives is a moral imperative.”

A group of 55 prominent artists and advocates in the entertainment industry have signed an open letter to President Biden, urging for a call for a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel. See the full list below:

Riz Ahmed
Mahershala Ali
Mo Amer
Cate Blanchett
Quinta Brunson
Farah Bsaiso… pic.twitter.com/s3d3iRhRNT

— Variety (@Variety) October 20, 2023

Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas after the Islamist group launched a shock raid from the Gaza Strip on October 7, killing at least 1400 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli officials.

In response to the Hamas attack, Israeli bombers have levelled entire city blocks in Gaza in preparation for a ground invasion they say is coming soon.
The Hamas-run health ministry said more than 4600 Palestinians, mostly civilians and many children and women, have died in the onslaught.

The letter, which was also signed by Jon Stewart, singer Dua Lipa, Susan Sarandon and Channing Tatum, follows an open letter from Artists for Palestine UK signed by 2000 artists and stars including Miriam Margolyes and Tilda Swinton.

Dave Chappelle caused uproar at a comedy gig and was told to “shut up” when he reportedly weighed in on the Israel-Palestine war. Picture: AFP

DAVE CHAPPELL SPURS WALK-OUTS OVER ISRAEL’S ‘WAR CRIMES’

Comedian Dave Chappelle criticised the United States for backing Israel’s “war crimes” against Palestinians during a live performance in Boston, prompting some audience members to walk out, according to the New York Post.

The controversial comic condemned Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel — but blasted what he claimed were Israel’s war crimes in Gaza, sparking some pushback from the crowd, people in attendance said.

The uproar started when a member of the audience told Chappelle to “shut up” after he said he didn’t think people should lose their jobs for supporting Palestinians.

Chappelle, in response, criticised the Israeli government’s decision to cut off food, water and electricity to Gaza.

He also accused Israel of killing innocent civilians and committing war crimes, according to the report.

Other members of the audience cheered and shouted “Free Palestine!” while others shot back “What about Hamas?!”, witnesses said.

Some members of the audience walked out after the raucous moment.

Toward the end of the show, Chappelle reportedly said that two wrongs don’t make a right, in reference to the Hamas attacks and Israel’s subsequent military response.

A spokesperson for Chappelle told the outlet the comedian “denies being in Boston” that night — despite the show being listed among his dates by ticket outlets.

SARAH SILVERMAN SAYS SHE WAS ‘STONED’ WHEN SHE ENDORSED ISRAEL

Comedian Sarah Silverman claimed she made a “mistake” while “stoned” after she shared a post that defended Israel’s move to pressure Hamas for the release of hostages by cutting off water and electricity to Gaza.

According to the New York Post Silverman faced blowback after she shared a post by user @elianaeatz to her Instagram Story that read: “Many are saying that it’s inhumane that Israel is cutting off water/electricity to Gaza. Israel made it pretty simple — ‘release the hostages and we will turn it back on.’”

“If Hamas didn’t spend billions of dollars on terrorism they would be able to build the infrastructure to support themselves,” the shared post said.

Sarah Silverman said she was “stoned” when she shared a post supporting Israel. Picture: Supplied/screengrab/The View

While Silverman seemed to initially support Israel’s tactics to bring Israeli hostages home, many others have argued that cutting off innocent civilians’ access to water and electricity is a human rights violation.

Silverman deleted the post from her social media, though screenshots of it were already circulating on X, formerly Twitter, where the 52-year-old comedian blamed her decision to share the post on her intoxicated state at the time.

“Oh f–k yeah I took that down I put it in stories from someone, realised it was a mistake to post in the stoned fury of wondering where the hostages are in all this madness …,” Silverman responded to a screenshot of her since-deleted Instagram Story.

– with AFP